Bananas Are Not Worth The Cost Essay

Are Bananas Worth the Cost? Bananas are cheap and nutritious but did you know the true story behind bananas? Bananas go through a complex system to get to how they look at grocery stores. Moreover, buyers don’t look to see the process behind the production. Workers go through long hours of harsh conditions to get these bananas in grocery stores. Bananas are a staple need for countries. Without the workers, there are no bananas. The mistreatment of the environment is hurting the world and the community. There are new regulations on place keeping child labor restricted, however, bananas are not worth the cost because they hurt the community, damage the environment, and cause economic problems.

Bananas aren’t worth the cost environmentally

Farmers are hiring children for farming and labor on the farms. Because kids are cheaper to afford and don’t cost as much to hire (“El Guabo, Ecuador – Fairtrade America”). Most of the time, plantation owners aren’t concerned for the employees even if it means unfair work rules causing health issues. Usually, the Bigger corporations sell their bananas for a lower price, when they do this they are spending less money on employee wages making kids more affordable. When plantation owners don’t show concern for their workers, economic wars are fought (Cohen). Bigger corporations even keep 80% of the money they earn and don't evenly distribute it back to the workers (“Bananas

But the Banana Industry is treating their workers unfairly and is putting the environment in danger. Bananas are not worth the cost. They are hurting the environment with tons of pollution and trash. Also treat their own workers unfairly with harsh working conditions and long hours. And are hiring kids to work because they are more affordable. True, there are multiple organizations and laws in place to help with these problems. But these laws are being followed due to not enough enforcement and poverty. Consumers need to take their part in this problem. Kids have to work in fields but with new laws in place employers can’t hire kids above the minimum age requirement, have to have protective gear, and are to be banned from dangerous work. They can start buying bananas from certified owners such as the Rainforest Alliance, Fair Trade, and Equal Exchange. Supermarkets and grocery stores can start selling bananas from Colim, Earth University, and Organics Unlimited/Grow. All of these brands can help make a difference in these countries and help the workers. ‘“Consumers should make their voices heard: the sweetest banana is a child-labor-free banana